Propeller for autosleigh mechanism.



Patented A1194, 1914 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Attorneys J. S. THOMSON.

PROPBLLER FOR AUTOSLEIGH MECHANISM,

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 9, 1013.

1,105 ,940. Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. 42 3 Attorneys Eur men.

PROPELLER FOR AUTOSLEIGH MECHANISM.

memo.

Specification. 01' Letters Patent.

Patented, Au". 4, 1914:.

lpplication filed December 9; 1913. Serial No. 505,601.

Zia-all "whom it may concern 1 Be it known that I, JAMES S. TnousoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented a new and use ful Propeller for Autosleigh Mechanism, of

which the-following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to a pro peller for auto sleigh mechanisms, and is adapted more particularly for use in connection with the sleigh attachment for motor vehicles disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 7 94,97 7 filed Oct. 13, 1913, although the propeller may be employed with various other mechanisms to which it is suited. I

It. isthe object of the present invention to provide 'a' propeller of such unique construction, as to enhance its tractive effort, when engaing the snow, or ice over which the sleigh traverses.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a propeller which shall have means for effectively engaging and compressing loose snow, to facilitate the tractive effort, and which shall also'have means for engaging that the propeller will be varying conditions.

The present inyention also contemplates the provision of a propeller of the nature indicated, which shhll be comparativolv simple, light, substantial and inexpensive in construction. aswell as possessing a high degree of efficiency in its use.

effective under the It is also within the spirit of the inven-- tion, to provide a propeller of the character specified, which shall embody means for preventin skidding or lateral slip.

With the foregoing general objects outlined, and with other objects in view, which will be apparent as the nature oi. the invention is betterunderstood, the present invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construc tion hereinafter described and claimed. it being understood that changes'in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention has been illustrated in its icy or compact surfaces, in order preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a sleigh attachment for a 'motor'veliicle, embodying the improved propeller, portions being broken away. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the parts depicted in Fig. 1, portions being broken away, and portions being shown in section. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmental view of the propeller. Fig. -1- is a fragmental end View of the propeller, parts being shown in section, with the section taken on the line l-i of Fig. i

The present propeller is designed particularly for employment on the sleigh attachment for motor vehicles disclosed in the above mentioned application, although the propeller may be otherwise employed, as will be apparent to those versed in the art. The sleigh attachment forming the subject matter of the co-pending application above noted, is of no particular moment with respect to the propeller per so, and need not be illustrated or described in detail, a rough disclosure in the present application being sutlicient for the purposes.

Inthedrawings, the numeral 1 designates the rear driving axle or shai'tof a motor vehicle or automobile, which is inclosed by the usual housing 2. To the ends of the housing 2 are applied or attached, a pair of mechanisms 3 whit-hare operatively connected to the ends or spindles of the axle shaft 1. Each of the mechanisms embodies a runner 4 mounted for pivotal mov ements and having a rear upstanding slotted arcuate guide 5. Each mechanism 3 also includes a sprocket wheel 6, or its equivalent, secured to the respective end of the a xle shaft 1. to rotate the'rewith. Each mechanism 3 further includes a rearwardly projecting lever 7 pivoted to swing about the axis of the shaft 1 as a center, and arranged to be mechanically raised and lowered. Each lever 7 is provided with an arcuate slotted guide 8 at its free end. cooperating with the corresponding guide 5 of the runner 4;, the guides S and 5 being relatively short and long respectively.

Disposed within the guides and 8 of each pair, is a boxing 9, through which boxings the terminal, portions of the propeller shaft 10 are journaled. To the extremities of the propeller shaft, aresecured sprocket wheels. 11 which are connected to the respective sprocket wheels 6 by means of sprocket chains l'l, although, it is to be understood that the propeller shaft 10 may be the propeller shaft may be raised and lowered away from and toward. the surface traversed.

- Gomingito the propeller pea" been designated generally by 14, thesame is mounted upon the shaft 10 between theguides 5-.of therunners ,4, and it is of drum or rollers form, so as to occupy the space between'the rear-runners 4,

se, which has to 'insure an effective tractiver efiort, the

propeller being disposed in-the rear OfthQ automobile or motor vehicle body, as is ap parent. Thepropeller drum is preferably of a length, approximately equal to. the width of thevehicle body, it being desirable in some instances to remove the rear elliptical springs, so they willnot interfere withthe ends of the propeller, 'wherebythe propeller may be of the. greatest lengthpossible.

necessary, inasmuch-as the propeller may be made vof such a size to work freely between the springs,

- The propeller drum comprises a plurality of star-wheels or spiders, of which there i may be two or more, according to the length of the drum, andaccording to the conditions to which the propeller is subject in use. In the drawings, .two end wheels are shown although it is to be understood that one, or

more intermediate star w eels or spiders of precisely the may be provided, they bein same construction as the end ones. Each of the star wheels or spiders embodies a pair of companion or complementing rim members or annuli'15 having the radial pro-v jections or points 16 and the concaved seats or portions 17 between the projections lfi the projections 16 of the companion rim members 15 having the radial'open slots or kerfs 18. The star wheel or spider also includes a pair of oppositely dished sheet metal disks orjplates 19, which have their peripheries resting flatly together, and,

riveted or otherwise secured between the rim members 15. 1

Each of the star wheels or spiders is mounted upon the propeller shaft 10 by means of a hub, 20 slipped upon the shaft the numeral It will be observed, however, that the removal-of the rearelliptical springs is not theends of the sections 31 having the cars 33 10 and having its end portions reduced and externally threaded, as at 21. is secured upon the shaft 10 by means of a key 252, and collars 23 are threaded upon the reduced'end portionsQl of thehub 20,

and at their inner or adjoining ends are provided with the flanges 24, to which the central. portions of the disks 19 are riveted or, otherwise secured, the flanges 24: being preferably on the interiorofthe disks ;19.

The threads of the end portions 21' of the.

hub 20' are right and left handed, in .order that when the two collars 23 areturned in the same direction, they ,will be moved toward each other, or apart, according tothe direction in which they are rotated. A plurality through each of the collars 23 to engage the respective end portion of the'h'ub, for lock, ing theycollar in position," one; of the set screws 26 being designated to-pass through the slotor, opening 27 in the reduced end portion 21 to engage thekey 22.

It ,will be evident that, by rotatingthe star wheel or spider with respect to the hub,

The hub 2O of set screws 25 are-also threaded the set screws having been loosened, will permit the collars 23 to be rotated upon the end portions of the hub 20, whereby the collars may be movedapart toecreate a strain upon the disks 19 whereby they will be maintained taut so as to withstand the strains to which the propeller is subjected. After the collars 23 have been set properly,

they may be locked in position-by tightening the set screws. a ,The periphery of the propeller drum or roller-comprises a series of arcuate or concaved plates 28 extending longitudinally of the drum, and riveted or otherwise secured to the concaved seats 17 of the star .wheels or spiders. Thus, the drum is' provided with a corrugated of longitudinally grooved or channeled periphery for facilitatingthe 'tractive effort when the surface traversed is covered withsnow.

Disposed along the meeting edges of ,the

.concaved plates 28 are the. longitudinally disposed bars '29 having their outer edges sharpened and having fiat web-like shanks .30 riveted oft-otherwise secured within the slots 18 of the star wheels or spiders. Thus,

the traction bars or ribs 29 extend along the ridges between the: concavities or depressions of the periphery of thedrum, the ends of the bars 29 being preferably extended beyond the endinost star wheels or spiders and being curved inwardly to provide a finished efie'ctQ The traction bars 29 are designed to engage icy or hard surfaces in order that the propeller. may secure a firm grip thereon. Associated-with each of the star wheels or spiders is a series of arcuate sections 31 spanning or bridging the concaved plates 28, and having the radial teeth or spurs 32,

In connection with the propeller there is preferably employed an arouate apron or shield 3411 disposed over the propeller, to protect the same, and including the end spider frames 35 which are pivoted to the axle housing 2, as at 36, and which are also connected to the inner ends of the boxings 9 as at 87, whereby the apron or shield 3% may' swing vertically with the propeller.

The construction of the propeller drum is such that the component parts thereof may be readily assembled, the propeller drum being comparatively light and substantial in order that it will be suitable for the purposes.

In operation, when the levers 7 are lowered, the propeller drum will be yieldably brought into engagement with the underlying surface, in order that the traction bars 29 and teeth or spurs 32 may engage an icy or hard surface, for facilitating traction. Should the propeller encounter loose snow, the depressions or concavities provided by the curved plates 28, .will engage the snow in an elfective manner to compress the same,for facilitatingtraction, and to further provide a compressing action, tending to compress the snow. Thus, the propeller'has the effect of a roller, whereby the machine will tend to make or-promote a sleighing bed, instead of destroying it, the machine leaving a'compressed snow bed in its wake.

It will be apparent that the dished plates 28 and bars 29 connect the respective star wheels or spiders to increase the rigidity of the propeller drum, while the arcuate sections 3l connect the end portions and the plates 28 and the bars 29 to further strengthen the structure. The number of plates 28 and bars 29 employed may be varied according to the diameter of the drum, andnccording to other conditions which are met with.

From the foregoing, the advantages and capabilities of the improved propeller will be obvious to those familiar in the art, with: out particular reference to the construction and operation of thepropeller and controlling and actuating mechanism forming the subject matter of the co-pending application above noted.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is j 5 1. A propeller drum including spaced wheels,longitudinal concaved plates'secured to the said wheels, and longitudinal traction bars secured to the wheels and extending along the edges of the 'said plates.

52. A propeller drum including spaced wheels, longitudinal concaved plates secured to the wheels, and toothed sections secured to the wheels and spanning the said plates.

3. A propeller drum including spaced star wheels, having concaved seats between the points, and longitudinal concaved plates secured to said seats ofthe star wheels.

4. A propeller drum including spaced star wheels having slotted projections, gitudinal traction bars having shanks secured within the slots of the projections of the star wheels.

5. A ropeller drumincluding spaced star wheels aving slotted projections and concaved seats between the projections, longitudinal concaved plates secured to said seats, and longitudinal traction bars having shanks secured within the slots of the said projections.

6. A propeller drum includin spaced star wheels, having concaved seats betwcen the projections, longitudinal concaved' lates secured to said seats, and longitudina traction bars secured to the projections of the said wheels.

7. A propeller drum includin spaced star wheels having concaved seats tween the projections, longitudinal concaved plates secured to the said seats, and toothed sections secured to the projections of the star wheels and spanning the said plates.

8. A propeller drumincluding star wheels having concaved seats between the projections, longitudinally concaved plates secured to the seats, longitudinal traction bars secured to the projections of the star wheels, and arcuate toothed sections terminally seand lon cured to the projections of the star wheels and spanning the said plates.

9. In a propeller drum, a plurality of spaced wheels, each comprising a pair of companion rim members, a pair of oppositely dished disks having their peri heries secured between the rim members, an a hub carried by the central portions of the disks, and lon gitudinal traction members connecting the rim members of the wheels. 1

10. A propeller drum embodying a plurality of star wheels each comprising a pair of companion rim members, a pair of oppositely dished disks having their peripheries secured between the rim members, and a hub carried by the central portions 9f the disks, the rim wheels, long1tudinal concaved plates secured & 1,105,040

to the wheelss. -longitudi'naltraction bars seby the central portions ,oithe disks, and ioncured to the wheels and extending a'long the 'gitudinal traction members secured to the edges of the said plates, and erouate toothed rim members of the wheels. seejeions terminally secured to the Wheels and In testimony that I claim the foregoing as e spanning the said plates. my own, I have hereto affixed my signature 12. A propeller drum including a plurality in'the presence of two witnesses.

of spaced wheels eaoh comprising a pair of v JAMESS. THOMSON. companion rim members, a, pair 0t oppositely Witnesses: dished disks having their peripheries secured JOHN O. WALTON,

10 between the rim members, and a hub carried C. R. HEPLER. 

